`Indo-US ties 21st century`s defining partnership`

Washington: Noting that President Barack Obama considers India-US relationship as "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century," the US Senate has resolved to foster and advance the strategic partnership between the two nations.

A bipartisan resolution introduced by Republican John Cornyn and co-sponsored by Democrat Christopher Dodd, to mark the 63rd anniversary of India`s independence, also celebrated "the contributions of Americans of Indian descent to society in the United States."

Noting that the first state dinner hosted by Obama was held in honour of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in November 2009, the resolution recalled the two nations "have pursued a strategic partnership based on common interests and shared commitments to freedom, democracy, pluralism, human rights, and the rule of law".

The US and India have undertaken a cooperative effort in the area of civilian nuclear power, which Congress approved through the enactment of the US-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-Proliferation Enhancement Act, it noted.

The strong relationship between the US and India is based on mutual trust and respect, enables close collaboration across a broad spectrum of strategic interests, including counter-terrorism, democracy promotion, regional economic development, human rights, and scientific research, the resolution said.

The Senate resolution also acknowledged that since 2001, Indians have comprised the largest foreign student population on college campuses in the US, accounting for approximately 15 per cent of all foreign students in the country.

Noting that there are more than two million Americans of Indian descent in the United States, it acknowledged the lasting contributions to the social and economic fabric of the US made by the Indian Americans.

"Americans of Indian descent continue to enrich all sectors of public life in the United States, including as government, military, and law enforcement officials working to uphold the Constitution of the United States and to protect all people in the United States," it said.